One Direction in Braunston?

No, not the five-piece boy band that won the X-Factor, but CRT’s announcement to consult on a proposal to ease congestion at one of the waterways most popular locations. The capacity of the canal would be doubled in the summer months by making traffic travel in the same direction between Napton and Norton Junctions: north to south on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays and the reverse direction on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. The plan would not operate on Sundays to allow weekenders to get back to their marinas, nor during the winter months. The proposed scheme has received a cautious welcome from NABO, with Gen. Sec. Richard Carpenter commenting: “Anything that relieves congestion in this area is to be welcomed”. However, CRT has already had protests from the local branch of the IWA, one of whom was quoted as saying: "Boaters wishing to travel between Napton and Norton Junctions will have a journey of nine miles with six locks on some days and on others a journey via Leicester of 107 miles and 94 locks – the scheme is madness." The consultation runs for three months from April and your views can be made online.